Trump's personal intervention with FIFA chief sparks controversy over US star's suspension

President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday to request a review of the suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun, according to reports from multiple outlets. The call, first reported by The New York Times and cited by Extra Online, came after Balogun received a red card in the US victory over Bosnia in the second phase of the World Cup. Trump asked Infantino to revisit the suspension, and FIFA subsequently announced that Balogun would be eligible to play against Belgium on Monday.

Extra OnlineTrump telefonou para Infantino na quarta-feira e pediu para Fifa rever suspensão de atacante dos EUA, diz New York Times

Balogun, the top scorer for Team USA, had been facing a suspension that threatened his participation in the knockout stages. The decision to convert his suspension into a conditional one drew immediate criticism, with many questioning the independence of FIFA's ruling. De Telegraaf reported that the move "has sparked a storm of criticism" and noted that the supposedly independent decision followed a personal phone call from Trump to Infantino.

De TelegraafAmerikaanse media: ’Donald Trump belde persoonlijk met Gianni Infantino over schorsing Folarin Balogun op WK’

"De als onafhankelijk gepresenteerde FIFA-besluit volgt op een persoonlijk telefoontje van de Amerikaanse president Donald Trump aan FIFA-voorzitter Gianni Infantino."

The implication that a presidential call influenced a disciplinary ruling has raised eyebrows, especially given FIFA's stated commitment to impartial governance. The timing of the reversal, just before a crucial match, has only amplified the debate.

"Trump ligou para Gianni Infantino, presidente da FIFA, na quarta-feira, e pediu que ele revisasse a suspensão do atacante Balogun"

Extra Online, citing three sources familiar with the conversation, confirmed the direct outreach. While neither Trump nor Infantino have publicly commented on the call, the sequence of events has fueled questions about the integrity of World Cup disciplinary procedures. The US team now moves forward with their star striker available, but the controversy surrounding his reinstatement is unlikely to fade quickly.